“I got me directly in the eyeballs. It felt like someone was sandblasting my eyeballs with glass.” — Joe Vallely, Army veteran
A California woman has been arrested after she pepper-sprayed an Army veteran during a road rage incident — all because she thought he was driving too slowly.
Tiffany Bagby, 41, now faces 7 criminal charges including assault, false imprisonment, and carrying a concealed dagger.
What Happened?
The incident took place on Wilson Avenue in Vallejo — a waterfront road where the city had recently installed speed bumps to slow traffic.
Veteran Joe Vallely was driving his large, heavy work truck slowly over those bumps when a woman in a red Nissan Altima started tailgating him and making obscene gestures.
Bagby then sped past him, cut him off, and blocked his vehicle from moving. She walked up to his truck window and sprayed an orange substance directly into his face.
Charges Against Bagby
- False imprisonment
- Assault likely to cause great bodily injury
- Unlawful use of tear gas
- Battery with serious bodily injury
- Evading police (wrong way driving)
- Obstructing a peace officer
- Carrying a concealed dagger
Caught on Camera
Vallely filmed the entire encounter on his phone. In the video, Bagby can be heard saying: “You scared? You should be scared.”
Vallely told local news he said nothing and tried to avoid the confrontation at all costs — but the attack left him screaming in pain.
The Arrest
Police initially tried to contact Bagby at her home, but she refused to cooperate. On May 14, officers spotted her driving nearby and initiated a traffic stop — which led to a high-speed chase.
After a 4-mile pursuit, she pulled over. Officers found a concealed dagger between her seat and center console.
She later admitted to the pepper spray attack, saying: “I just wasn’t in the mood for it.”
Status: Bagby is currently held in Solano County Jail on a $108,334 bond.
